nftlan    UN  ITT  and   P  E  A  C 

recommended. 


E     R     M     O     N 

2REACHE3 

EY,  May  $f&i  176 
B    Y 


DAVID     M  A  C  G  R  E  G  O  R  E,     A.    M 

Paflor  of  a  Church  in  LON 


B      OS      T      o      i^ : 

Printed  by  W.  M* ALPINE  and  J.  FLEEMIXG  in  Marlborough- 
ftreet.        M,DCC,LXV, 


jAtiA*tAfc.tAA^t**^tAA.e^  ^ 

X  X  X  X  X  X.  X  X  X  X  X  X.  X  X  ';•<  X.  X  X X  X  x!  x  X!  X  ;•:< x:  XX  X  X  X  X  :> ••;. X.  X  X? 


2   Cor.   xiii.   1 1. 

Finally  brethren  farewel :  Be  perfetf,  be  of  good, 
comfort^  be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace -,  and  the 
God  of  love  and  peace  ft  all  be  with  you. 


text  contains  the  apoftle's  valediai- 
on  to  l^c  churck  °*  Corinth,  and  a 
vcry  affe&i°nate  and  pathetick  one 
ft  *s ;  evidently  proceeding,  from  an 
heart  warm  with  divine  love,  and 
containing  great  encouragement  to  the  pcrfon,  who, 
cordially  complies  with  the  exhortation  therein  con- 
tained.    It  feems,   it    was  antiently,  as  it  now  is, 
cuftomary  for  an  author  to  conclude  his  epiftle  with 
a  benevolent  wiih.     Paul  falls  in  with  this  cuftom 
the  more  readily,  as  it  fuits  the  prefent  temper  of  his 
heart.     He  does  not  take  his  leave  with  a  dry  emp- 
ty compliment,  but  heartily  wifhes  the  Corinthians 
the  belt  bleffing,  viz.  the  divine  fpecial  prefence, 
which  he  alfo  promifes  them  on  their  compliance 
with  the  exhortation.     This  confifts  of  feveral  (hort 
fentences.   Be perfec}yKAT ART IZC&THE, literally  it 
figniSes  be  compadt,  or  united,  viz.  as  the  members 
of  the  fame  body,  or  the  conftitute  parts  of  the  fame 
building.     The  perfection  of  a  fociety  lies  much  in 
the  unity  of  it.     'Tis  probable,  that  the  apoftle  here, 
has  particular  reference  to  the  perfection  or  corn-- 
pleating the  body  of  the  Corinthian  church,  by  re- 
ftpring  foine  members,  who  had  for  a  time  been 

feperated 


C    4    1 

Separated  from  its  communion  by  fufpenfion  ;  or  elfe 
$vho  had,  by  a  divifive  contentious  fpirit,  with^ 
drawn  themfelves.  The  original  word  quoted  fa- 
vors this  fenle,  fi jjnifying  the  putting  thole  mem- 
bers of  a  body  into  their  proper  places,  which  had 
been  loofned  from  their  joints.  Be  of  good  comforti 
the  original  word  may  be  rendered  exhorted,  or 
comforted,  or  confirmed ;  what  if  we  fhould  take 
it  as  comprehending  all  thefe  ?  Be  exhorted  to  pay  a 
due  regard  to  the  various  precepts  and  counlds  I 
have  given  you,  from  the  Spirit  of  God.  Be  com- 
forted in  all  the  trials,  all  the  afflictions  you  have 
met,  pr  may  meet  with  in  your  profeffion  of  the 
gofpel  Be  confirmed  viz.  in  the  truths  and  righte- 
ous ways  of  God.  Be  of  one  mind ;  q.  d.  Lbotir 
for  a  unity  of  fentiment  ;  try  to  think  alike,  to  be 
of  the  fame  mind,  of  the  fame  judgment,  in  mat- 
ters pf  religion  ;  but  if  you  cannot  attain  to  this, 
but  are.  pbliged  to  differ  in  opinion  in  foms  lefler 
things,  yet  be  one  ia  affection,  live  in  peace  :  i.  e. 
free  from  that  wrath  and  envy,  thofe  contentions 
and  ftrifes,  which  have  hitherto  been  but  too  fre- 
quent among  you  $  remember  that  the  wrath  of 
snan  wcrketh  not  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  -y  and 
clo  not,  by  your  condudt,  give  me  occafion  to  -re- 
peat thefe  words ;  f  <  whereas  there  be  divifions  a- 
*c  mong  ycq,  are  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as  men/* 
To  induce  to  a  ready  compliance  with  the  duty 
exhorted  to,  he  adds,  The  God  of  love  and  peace 
[hail  be  <ipitb  you  :  q.  </.  The  true  God  is  the  God 
of  peace  5  he  is  Iqve  in  the  abftradt,  fo  that  your 
complying  *with  this  exhortation  is  the  dired:  way 
to  enjoy  his  gracious  fpiritual  prefence.  What  an, 
mouve  is  here ! 


[    5    ] 

IN  fpeaking  more  largely  on  this  fubjecT:,  I  {hall 
endeavor, 

Fir  ft,  To  {hew  what  that  peace  and  love  among 
Chriftians  is,  to  which  the  apoflle  exhorts  with  fo 
much  warmth  and  earneftnefs. 

Secondly,  To  evince  and  illuftrate  the  great  im- 
portance of  fuch  a  peace,  amopg  Chriftians,  thofc 
particularly,  who  are  connected  in  the  fume  fociety. 

Thirdly  t  ADVENTURE  to  give  a  few  directions, 
by  a  due  attendance  on  which,  this  important  bltff- 
ing  may  be  attained  and  promoted  among  Chrifti- 
And then  make  fome  application. 


I  am  to  ihew,  fir  ft  t  what  that  peace  and  love  a- 
mong  Chriftians  is,  to  which  the  apoftle  exhorts 
with  Co  much  warmth  and  earncftnefs  ?  In  anfwer 
to  this  enquiry,  I  ihall  mention  two  effential  cha- 
racters or  qualifications  of  this  peace. 

fir  (I,  An  agreement  in  principle,  at  leaft  in  the 
main  things.  The  prophet  no  doubt  intends,  that 
his  queftion  fliould  have  a  negative  anfwer,  when 
he  fays,  Can  two  walk  together  except  they  be  agre- 
ed ?*  Doubtlefs  two  may  walk  together,  /'.  e.  may 
have  religious  fdlowfhip  ;  may  join  fweet  counfel, 
who  differ  in  fentiments  on  fome  lefler  points,  other- 
wife  there  could  be  no  act  of  occafional  communion, 
among  chriitians  of  different  denominations  :  N;j, 
perphaps,  it  would  be  found  on  enquiry,  that  there 
p>uld  be  no  luch  thing  as  religious  icllo  wfliip  or 


walking 


walking  together,  in  the  matters  of  religion,  but  €•* 
very  one  muft  walk  by  himfelf,  there  not  being  two 
perfons,  who  are  exadly  agreed  in  all  points  of  doc- 
trine. In  matters  of  leffer  moment,  chriftians 
fhould  exercife  mutual  forbearance  :  a  tender,  cha-> 
ritable  difpofition,  towards  a  chriftian  brother,  er- 
ing  in  fome  lefler  things,  will  be  an  effedt  of  that 
modefty  and  humility,  which  well  becomes  the 
prefent  infant  ftate  of  darknefs  and  imperfection, 
where  the  beft  know  but  in  part,  and  all  are  liable 
to  err.  To  fee  the  chriftian  church  rent  to  pieces, 
by  the  over- rigid  urging  of  uniformity,  in  fentirnent 
and  praftice,  on  points  of  frmll  moment ;  and  per- 
fons under  the  influence  of  party  rage,  excomuni- 
cating  and  anathematifing  one  another,  as  though 
the  effence  of  religion  was  at  ftake^  affords  a  lively 
picture  of  human  weaknefs  and 'folly  j  and  yet,  how 
often  do  we  fee  humbling  and  fhamefal  inftances 
of  this  kind  5  fometimes  in  men,  who  are,  other- 
ways,  pious,  learned,  eminent. 

BUT  when  all  this  is  freely  granted,  ir  rseverthe- 
Isfs  remains  true,  that  among  Chriftians,  particu- 
larly thofe,  who  are  affociated  in  religious  focieties, 
there  Should  be  an  agreement  in  principle,  at  leaft 
in  the  main  things.  To  fee  Orthodox,  Arians,  Pe~ 
laghns,  Socinians,  and  even  Deifts,  all  confufedly 
blended  together  in  one  communion,  is  not  feemly. 
This  may  be  termed  catholicifm,  but  it  is  latitu- 
dinarianifm.  This  is  faying  a  confederacy,  tc* 
which  heaven  will  not  fay  amen  ;  and  inftead  of 
being  acceptable,  is  abominable  to  God.  What 
fellowship  hath  light  with  darknefs !  It  is  furprif- 
inqp,  as  v/ell  as  fad  to  obferve,  to  what  a  length  fome 
moderns  have  carried  the  matter,  even  to  the  af- 

f^rting 


[    7    ] 

fcrting,  that  it  is  no  material  thing,  what  a  man's 
religious  opinions  are,  provided,  he  appear  to  be  of 
a  benevolent  difpofition,  and  to  pay  a  proper  regard 
to  the  focial  virtues.  This  is  departing  from  bigo- 
try and  narrownefs,  to  another,  and  I  was  going  to 
fay,  a  worfe  extream.  Chriftians  fhould  beware  of 
all  extreams :  They  fhould  remember,  that  the  wif- 
dom  which  comeih  from  above,  is  firft  pure,  then 
peaceable  i  that  precious  as  peace  is,  they  who  fell 
the  truth  to  buy  it,  give  teo  high  a  price.  If  they 
confult  their  bibles,  they  may  read  of  damnable  he- 
relies,*  doctrines,  that  fubvert  fouls,-f-  words,  that 
cat  like  a  canker.  J  Among  all  the  apoftles  of  our 
Lord,  none  was  more  eminent  for  a  catholic  difpo- 
iition,  a  heart  dilated  with  the  love  of  God,  than 
the  apoftle  John  ;  and  yet,  how  ftridt  he  is  upon  thp 
head  of  doctrine,  you  fee,  by  that  precept,  2  epif, 
of  John,  ix.  10,  whofoever  tranfgrefleth,  and  abid* 
ctb  not  in  the  dodlrine  of  Chrift,  hath  not  God. 
If  there  come  any  unto  you,  and  bring  not  this  doc- 
trine, receive  him  not  unto  your  houfe,  neither  bid 
him  God  fpeed ;  for  he  that  biddeth  him  God  fpeed, 
is  partaker  of  his  evil  deeds.  How  awful  are  thofe 
•words  of  Paul,  Gal.  i.  8.  where,  he  is  manifeftly 
fpeaking  of  thofe,  who,  in  the  justification  of  a  fin- 
ner,  mingled  the  law  with  the  gofpel.  Though 
we^  or  an  angel  from  heaven,  profefs  any  other  gof- 
pel unto  you,  than  that  ye  have  received,  let  him  be 
accurfed. 

^  Secondly,  ANOTHER  eflential  character  or  quali- 
fication of  that  peace  among  Chriftians,  which  the 
apoftle  exhorts  to  in  my  text,  is,  that  it  be  founded 

*  z  Peter  ii.  i^         f  A&s  xv.  24,          }  2  Tim.  ii.  17. 

or 


[    8    J 

on  love  to  G0J.  There  may  be,  and  often  is  an  ex- 
ternal peace,  among  a  fociety  of  profeficd  Chiifli- 
ans,  and  much  outward  unity  and  harmony,  where 
there  is  little  or  nothing  of  the  love  of  God  at  bot- 
tom. Such  a  peace  may  be  founded  upon  princi- 
ples of  policy,  or  on  a  party  fpirit.  "  We  muft  be 
"  united,  this  -will  render  us  a  refpedlable  body; 
c<  nothing  will  bes.ble  to  ftand  ao;ainft  us  5  we  (hail 
<c  be  an  over-match  for  all  our  adverfaries."  Thus 
many  realon  ;  and  this  is  the  bafis  of  their  {tricl  u- 
nion  :  But  this  is  not  the  peace  and  love,  which  my 
text  fo  warmly  recommends.  There  is  nothing  pe- 
culiar to  Chriftianity  in  this  peace  :  A  fociety  of  Ma- 
hometans or  Pagans,  may  keep  united  from  the  fame 
motives,  the  fame  political  views.  The  peace  and 
love  in  my  text,  is  bpilt  on  love  to  God  :  according 
to  that  divine  word,  every  one  that  Joveth  him  that 
begat,  love^h  him  alfo  that  is  begotten  of  him.* 
That  love  which  unites  true  believers  to  the  head, 
cements  them  in  the  clofeft,  and  moft  cordial  bonds 
to  each  other.  They  regard  one  another,  as  the 
children  of  one  common  father,  who  have  one  Lord, 
one  faith,  one  baptifm  ;  who  are  one  bread  and  one 
body;  who  are  at  prefeht,  in  many  refpefts  in  the 
fame  circumftances,  in  the  fame  ftate  of  warfare 
and  trial,  expofed  to  the  fame  enemies  and  tempta- 
tions 5  who  expeft  a  common  falvation.  And  hence 
they  love  as  brethren,  are  pitiful  and  courteous,  no 
one'  allows  himfelf  to  feek  his  own  good,  feparate 
from  that  of  his  brethren.  They  cover  one  ano- 
thers  infirmities  with  love  :  they  feel  the  happy  and 
powerful  influence  of  that  fervent  charity,  which; 
is  the  bond  of  perfeftnefs ;  and  hence,  they  do  all 

*  i.  Join*  v.  i, 

mutual 


[    9    ] 

mutual  good  offices,  with  a  benevolent  heart,;  tJnp* 
py  the  chriftian  fociety,  which  |is  held  together  by 
this  bond  ! 

I  PROCEED  to  the  fecond  head,  /.  e.  to  fliew,  of 
how  g;  eat  importance,  iuch  a  peace  and  harmony 
as  has  been  defcribed,  is,  among  chriftians,  thofe 
particularly,  who  are  connected  in  the  fame  fociety. 

THAT  fuch  peace  and  love,  is  a  valuable  and 
important  bleffing  to  chriflian  focieties,  appears 
from  the  warm  manner,  in  which  it  is  urged  in  mjf 
text,  and  other  fcriptures  j  and  the  powerful  mo- 
tives wiih  which  the  duty  is  enforced.  Mow  af- 
fectionate is  the  apoftles  farewel  in  the  text;  how 
warm,  and  withal,  how  argumentative  !  Thofe  are 
pathetic  words,  Phil.  ii.  1,2,  "  If  there  be  there- 
fore any  confolation  in  Chrift,  if  any  comfort  of 
love,  if  any  fellowmip  of  the  fpirit,  if  any  bowels 
and  mercies :  fulfil  ye  my  joy,  that  ye  be  like  mind- 
ed, having  the  fame  love,  being  of  one  accord,  of 
one  mind/'  In  what  a  variety  of  expreffion,  does 
the  prince  of  peace  recommend  love  and  peace  to 
his  followers.  This  is  his  c<  new  commandment."* 
This  is  the  badge,  or  diftinguiming  note  of  his  dif- 
ciples.-f-  May  I  not  add,  that  this  is  one  of  the 
things  which  our  great  interceflbr  is  now  pleading 
for,  on  the  behalf  of  his  people,  at  the  throne  of 
grace.  This  we  may  learn,  from  that  ipecimen  he 
gave  of  his  interceffion,  before  his  paffion  ;  fee  John 
xvii.  21.  u  That  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou  Father 
art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  al'o  may  be  one 
In  us  j  that  the  world  itiay  know  that  thou  haft  fent 

*  John  siii.  34.        f  ver.  q^. 

B  me, 


me,  and  haft  loved  them  as  thou  haft  loved  me." 
To  excite  them  to  peace  and  love,  he  puts  them  in 
rnind  that  they  are  brethren,  that  they  (hould  there- 
fore love  as  brethren.  That  they  are  but  a  little 
flock,  have  many  and  formidable  enemies;  that 
therefore,  they  fhould  cleave  clofe  together.  I  might 
ihew  that  love  is  called  the  fulfilling  of  ihe  law;* 
Is  put  among  the  foremoft  of  the  fruits  of  the  Spi- 
rit.^ The  apoftle  John,  who  is  termed  by  way 
of  eminence,  "  the  diiciple  whom  Jefus  loved,"  and 
who  partook  of  our  Lord's  fpirit  in  an  eminent  de- 
gree, appears  tranfported  in  a  manner,  in  the  com- 
mendation ofchriftian  love  and  unity.  "Love  (fays 
he)  is  of  God,  and  every  one  that  lovcth,  is  born  of 
God,  and  knoweth  God."- — That  "  he  whodwcl- 
leth  in  love,  dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in  him/' 
That  he  who  is  deftitute  of  love,  whatever  other 
attainments  he  may  boaft  of,  is  "  a  murderer,  a  liar, 
and  abideth  in  death."  It  is  reported  of  this  apoftle, 
that  as  he  furvived  all  the  reft,  and  lived  to  extream 
old  age,  fo  when  his  powers  were  greatly  enfeebled, 
in  fomuch,  that  he  could  do  little  more  than  move 
and  fpeak  a  few  words,  he  often  ufed  to  addrefs  the 
chriftians,  faying,  "  fee  that  ye  love  one  another." 
I  might  moreover  fhew,  that  chriftians  are  com- 
rnanded  "  to  be  kindly  affc&ioned  one  to  another  :— 
That  love  be  without  diffimulation  : — To  be  piti- 
ful and  courteous : — To  provoke  one  another  to 
love  and  to  good  works." 

Now,  confidering  how  exprcfs  the  fcripture  is 
upon  this  head,  I  think,  there  are  but  few  dutys  of 
religion,  the  obligation  of  which,  it  is  more  dif- 

*  Rom.  xiii.  8.         f  Gal.  5.  22. 

ficult 


[  II  ] 

ficult  to  evade.  If  a  perfon  be  utterly  deftitute  of 
love,  be  evidently  of  a  lour,  narrow,  felrifh,  ma- 
levolent temper  $  if  he  be  under  the  dominion  of  a 
malicious,  revengeful  fpirit ;  what  ever  knowledge 
he  has,  what  ever  faith,  what  ever  zeal  for  God 
and  his  truth,  he  may  pretend  to,  it  is  plain,  that 
the  love  of  God  has  never  taken  poffeffion  of  his 
heart.  If  it  had  it  would  doubtlefs  have  humbled 
his  pride,  and  moulded  him  into  a  more  Chrift 
like  temper.  A  fociety  in  which  there  is  little  or 
no  brotherly  love  to  be  feen,  where  jealoufies  and 
heart  burnings,  bitter  envying  and  ftrife,  whifper- 
ing  and  backbitings  are  frequent,  is  liker  a  fociety 
of  pagans  than  Chriftians. 

"  LIVING  in  malice  and  envy,  hateful  and  hating 
one  aaother,"  was  a  character  fuitable  to  the  gentiles, 
before  they  knew  Chrift  -,  "  but  after  that  the  kind- 
nefs  and  love  of  God  our  Saviour  towards  man  ap- 
peared," and  they  began  to  feel  the  benign  influ- 
ence of  the  chriftian  religion,  matters  put  on  a  new 
face.* 

I  might  here  expatiate,  in  {hewing  th«  excellency 
and  imoprtance  of  love.  It  were  eafie  to  ifcake  it 
appear,  that  love  is  the  very  fpirit  of  angels,  of  glo- 
rified faints,  and  of  the  beft  men  upon  earth.  Per- 
haps there  is  nothing,  wherein  the  angelical  and  di- 
abolical natures  arc  fo  much  diftinguiihed,  as  by 
love  and  goodnefs.  The  devils  have  fpiritual  immor- 
tal natures,  and  great  degrees  of  power  and  know- 
ledge, but  devils  cannot  love  5  inftead  of  love, 
fweetncfs  and  benignity,  with  which  the  bleffed 

*  Tit.  iii,  3,  4. 

angels 


atcels  arfe  replete,  thefe  depraved  lofi-,  miferable 
fpirits,  are  fubject  to  the  vaflulage  of  the  fierce  pal- 
lions  of  malice,  cruelty  and  revenge.  "  Thele  are 
"  the  very  image  of  fatan,  aud  the  fpirit  of  hell." 
On  the  other  hand,  we  have  reafon  to  think,  that  the 
blefTed  angels  and  glorified  faints  live  in  the  joyful 
cxerciie  of  perpetual  love,  aud  the  mofl  tender  en- 
dearments :  and  the  better  any  man  is  upon  earth, 
the  nearer  he  aproaches  to  the  temper  of  the  bleffed 
inhabitants  above.  Love  dilates  the  good  man's 
heart,  fo  that  he  no  longer  makes  himftlf  his  chief 
end,  but  he  has  a  fincere  concern  for  the  good  of 
others.  'Tis  one  of  the  characters  of  charity,  that 
*'  {he  feeketh  not  her  own."*  The  good  man  is  ne- 
ver fo  much  pleafed,  as  when  he  is  employed  as  an 
inftrument,  in  the  hand  of  God,  in  promoting  the 
good  of  others ;  he  (hews  mercy  with  cheerfulnefs. 
How  many  lovely  examples  of  this  kind,  does  the 
facred  fcriptures  afford,  as  well  as  later  hiftory:  O 
that  there  were  more  of  them  !  O  that  the  lame 
mind  might  be  in  us,  which  alfp  was  in  Chrift 
Jefus  ? 

I  might  add,  that,  as  love  is  the  fpirit  of  angels, 
and  good  men,  fo  it  is  the  tie  or  band  of  chriftian 
communion.  This  communion  is  neceflary,  at 
leaft,  for  the  well-being  of  the  church,  which  is  a 
compound  body,  made  up  of  many  parts  or  mem- 
bers, which  ftand  in  mutual  need  of  one  another  ; 
the  qualifications  or  gifts  of  this  member,  fupplying 
the  defects  of  that ;  each  contributiug  its  part,  tq 
the  good  of  the  whole  :  fo  that  ec  the  eye  cannot  fay 
to  the  hand,  nor  the  head  to  the  foot,  I  have  no  need 

*  I  Cor.  xni. 


of  thee."  Now,  in  a  divided  ftate,  where  love  is  gone, 
and  in  ftead  of  keeping  the  unity  of  the  fpirit,  in 
the  bond  of  peace,  a  chriftian  fociety  is  iplit  into 
parties,  a  fad  confequcnce  often  is,  that  they  who 
fhould  lay  out  their  talents  for  the  good  of  the 
body,  are  apt  co  employ  them  for  its  hurt.  Inftcad 
of  edifying  or  building  up,  they  do  their  utmoft  to 
pull  clown  with  both  hands.  'Tis  an  cbfeivation 
which  has  been  often  made,  and  which  is  a  fad 
truth,  that  the  greaieft  evils  which  have  befallen 
chriftian  focieties,  are  thole  which  flow  from  intef- 
tinc  diviiion?,  growing  upon  the  decay  of  love. 
That  thefe  are  the  flames  which  have  confumed  the 
church;  when  the  flames  of  periecution  have  only 
finged  her  garments. 

I  MIGHT  udd,  that  love  end  peace  in  chriftian 
focieties,  commends  chriftianity  to  them  that  are, 
without.  Behold  how  the  chi  iftians  love  one  ano- 
ther, was  a  proverb  among  the  heathen  in  the  primi- 
tive, times  ;  and  I  make  no  doubt,  but  the  feeing  this 
fweet  harmony,  was  the.  means  of  convincing  many 
a  fpeclator,  of  the  divinity  of  the  chriftian  religion, 
and  by  that  means,  of  gaining  profeliies.  I  have  of- 
ten thought,  that  were  the  humility,  the  goodnds, 
the  peaccablenefs  and  charity  of  the  chriftian  religi- 
on tranfcribed,  or  carefully  copied  into  the  lives  of 
its  prc  feflbrs,  it  could  fcarce  fail  of  captivating  the 
hearts  of  impartial  fpeclators.  They  would  be  rea- 
dy to  fay,  "  furcly  this  reli  ion  muft  needs  be 
from  God,  which  makes  its  profeffors  fo  godlike.1' 
And  in  coniequence  hereof,  they  would  be  apt  to 
take  up  .the  fame  happy  refolution,  with  thoie  men- 
tioned by  the  prophet,  who  laid,  "  \ye  will  go  with 

you, 


C   i'4 

you,  for  we  have  heard  that  God  is  with  you/** 
Hence  our  fkilful  interceflbr,  when  he  pleads  for 
unity  among  his  difciples,  ufes  this  argument,  that 
hereby  the  world  would  be  convinced,  that  his  mif- 
fion  was  from  God,  or  that  chriftianity  had  a  divine 
original.  "  That  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou  fa- 
ther art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  alfo  may  be 
one  in  us,  that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou  haft 
Jcnt  me"*  What  is  the  rcafon  why  chriftianity 
makes  fo  little  progrefs  in  the  world,  notw'ithftand- 
ing  of  many  excellent  books,  and  much  good 
preaching,  and  other  precious  means!  Alafs,  the 
reafon,  or  at  leaft  one  main  reafon,  is  the  bitter  par- 
ty fpirit,  the  fierce  tempers,  the  antichriftiaoi  lives 
of  many  of  its  profeflors :  thefe  are  the  things, 
which  powerfully  tend  to  harden  the  prophanc  in 
their  evil  ways,  and  to  caft  a  {tumbling  block  in  the 
way  of  the  blind, 

I  might  further  add,  that  where  there  is  in  a  chril- 
tian  fociety,  fuch  a  peace  as  has  been  defcribed,  its 
falutary  effects  are  innumerable.  The  apoftle  James 
obferves,  that  "  where  envying  and  ft  rife  is,  there  is 
confufion  and  every  evil  work."  So  on  the  other 
hand,  where  there  is  love  and  peace  of  the  right 
fort,  there,  will  be  every  good  work,  for  love  is  the 
fulfilling  of  the  law.  For  inftance,  the  members  of 
fuch  a  iociety,  will  be  mutually  afllfting  to  each  o- 
ther,  in  all  difficulties ;  they  will  help  to  "  bear  one 
anothers  burthens,  and  fo  to  fulfil  the  law  of  Chrift." 
If  any  thing  is  projected,  tending  to  promote  the 
common  good,  it  meets  with  a  general  fuffrage,  is 
harmonioufly  embraced.  Whereas  in  a  divided 

*  Zacli.  viii.  23.         f  John  xvii.  21. 

ftate, 


[    'S    1 

ftate,  one  party  is  apt  to  oppofe,  what  the  other 
projects,  fo  that  the  falutary  fchemc  is  rejected,  and 
the  comjnon  intereft  fuffers.  Where  there  is  love 
betwcn  a  miniller  and  people,  where  he  knows  he 
has  their  hearts,  and  that  he  is  heard  with  can- 
dour and  due  refpcct,  it  chears  his  fpirits,  and  en- 
courages him  to  deliver  his  meflage  with  precifion, 
with  life,  with  tcndernefs.  On  the  contrary,  when 
an  evil  fpirit  is  got  between  paftor  and  flock,  fo  that 
he  has  reafon  to  fufpect  he  is  hated  or  defpifed,  it  is 
apt  to  embarrafs  his  mind,  and  fo  to  difcourage  him, 
as  that  it  is  well  if  he  does  not  reiolve,  that  he  will 
make  no  more  mention  of  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
Let  what  has  bsen  faid,  fuffice  as  to  the  excellency 
of  love  and  peace,  and  its  happy  influence  among 
chriftians,  efpecially  them  that  are  connected  in  ihe 
fame  fociety. 

THE  third,  and  lad  head  in  the  doctrinal  part, 
was  to  give  a  few  directions,  by  attending  to  which, 
chriftians  may  receive  fome  afliftance,  in  putting  in 
practice  the  apoftolical  exhortation  in  my  text.  This, 
however  unfit  for,  I  (hall  attempt  with  all  humili- 
ty, in  the  following  particulars,  in  which  I  requeft 
a  candid  hearing. 

I.  LET  chriftians,  who  would  enjoy  peace,  and 
live  in  love,  look  and  apply  to  him,  with  whom  is 
the  reiidue  of  the  fpirit,  for  a  revival  of  religion. 
To  have  it  revived  in  their  own  hearts,  and  in  the 
focieties  to  which  they  belong.  The  cflence  of  re- 
ligion is  love.  Love  to  men,  originating  from  a 
principle  of  love  to  God,is "  the  fulfilling  of  the  law," 
and  I  might  add  the  gofpel  alfo.  And,  as  love  to 
the  brethren,  is  founded  on  love  to  God,  fo  when 


**  '3 

the  latter  is  decayed,  the  former  cannot  be  expecl- 
'cd  to  flouriih.  Sometimes  this  is  remarkably  the 
cafe.  The  great  interesting  matters  of  eternity,  are 
in  a  fad  degree  out  of  fight.  The  effect  of  which 
is,  that  the  love  of  many  is  waxed  cold.  The  for- 
giving love,  and  aftoniming  grace  of  God,  manifeft- 
cd  in  the  gofpel,  has  but  a  feeble  influence  on  the 
-hearts  of  profeflbrs.  Chriftians,  at  fuch  a  time,  can 
hear  the  truths  of  religion,  and  perhaps  approve  of 
them  in  their  fpeculative  judgment,  but  they  do  not 
relifti  the  truth,  they  do  not  feel  it.  They  do  not 
•<c  receive  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it."  In  a  word,  the 
things  that  remain  are  ready  to  die  5  inward  god- 
]ineis  is  in  a  low  (late.  A  wafting  consumption  preys 
on  her  vitals,  by  which  the  glory  of  Jacob  is  made 
thin,  and  the  fatnefs  of  his  flock  is  waxed  lean. 
Now,  when  this  is  the  cafe,  there  is  apt  to  be 
but  little  brotherly  love,  very  little  of  that  fervent 
charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  perfeclnefs.  A  private 
felfifh  ipirit  is  apt  to  prevail.  That  lovely  charac- 
ter of  charity  is  forgot,  viz.  that  fl:e  feekctb  n  t  her 
.own.  Every  one  acls  as  if  he  weie  made  for  him- 
felf  only.  People  at  fuch  times,  are  eafily  offended, 
and  hard  to  be  reconciled  ;  their  paffions,  touched 
with  the  fmalleft  fpark,  are  apt  to  fly  into  the  mod 
furious  and  violent  explofions.  They  are  ready  to 
take  one  another  by  the  throat  for  a  very  trifle. 
"  I'll -not  let  it  go  with  him,'  I'll  be  revenged  on 
<c  him,  Til  do  to  him  as  he  has  done  to  me,  I'll 
'•cc  render  to  the  man  according  to  his  work/'  O 
firs,  where  the  prince  of  peace  appears  among  a 
people,  with  the  'precious  influence  of  his  fpecial 
grace,  this  private,  felfi£h,  this  fierce  vindictive  fpi- 
rit,  falls  before  him,  as  dagon  fell  before  the  ark 
ot  God.  Chriftkns  would  be  difpofed  to  embrace 

one 


[     '7    ] 

ane  another  j  to  love  as  brethren  ;  and  '  fiotwlth- 
itanding  fome  lefler  differences,  to  keep  u  the  unity 
of  the  fpiritj  in  the  bond  of  peace.  " 

U.  GET  the  inward  corruptions  of  the  heart  fub- 
dued.  You  may  remember  the  queftion  of  the  a- 
poftl«  James,  with  the  anfwer  :  "  Whence  come 
wars  and  fightings  ?  come  they  not  hence,  even  of 
your  lufts,  that  war  in  your  members?"  There 
is  a  fpirit  naturally  in  man,  that  lufteth  to  envy, 
Men  arc  naturally  of  a  revengeful  difpofition.  I 
might  alfo  mention  pride  :  this  makes  men  impa- 
tient of  contradiction.  Scorn  to  give  place  to  any, 
difpofes  them  to  fet  up  their  wills,  to  regard  their 
own  judgment,  as  the  ftaridard  to  which  all  muft 
conform.  Pride  is  fo  many  ways  deftru&ive  to  the 
peace  of  fociety,  that  the  wife  man  fees  ground  for 
that  obfervatibn,  "  Only  by  pride  cometh  conten- 
tion/'* If  profeflors  would  live  in  peace,  and  en- 
joy peace  in  the  focieties  they  belong  to,  they  fhould 
endeavour  to  find  ©at  thefe  corruptions  of  the  heart, 
te  lament  them  ;  to  fpread  them  before  the  phifi- 
cian  of  fouls,  in  order  to  a  cure  j  to  beg  of  him, 
that  "  through  the  fpirit  they  may  be  helped  to 
mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body, 

III.  AVOID  any  condudl,  which  tends  to  render 
each  other  odious.  This  is  a  fliameful  behaviour  iri 
the  difciples  of  Chrift  -3  diredtly  contrary  to  that 
charity,  withont  which,  we  are  as  <c  a  founding 
brafs,  and  a  tinkling  cymbal."  And  yet  I  appeal  to 
fadls,  whether  it  be  not  too  common  among  profef- 
fors,  efpecially  when  a  party  fpirit  runs  high. 


*  Prov.  xiv.  10 

C  we 


C   'S 

we  (hould  carefully  (hun  every  pradice  of  this  kind* 
We  fhould  beware  of  party  names,  fuch  as  new 
lights,  old  lights,  new  ichemers,  oppofers,  &c. 
Theie  things  tend  to  in  hate  and  inflame  men's 
fpirits,  and  by  this  means  to  widen  divifions.  Do 
not  be  forward  in  condemning  one  another  as  here- 
tics, or  putting  the  worft  meaning  on  every  doubt- 
ful expreffion,  thereby  making  a  man  an  offender 
for  a  word.  Do  not  impute  to  your  neighbours 
all  thofe  confequences,  which  you  think  are  fairly 
deducible,  from  fome  principle  of  his,  providing 
you  find,  that  he  profrffrs  not  to  fee  thefe  confe- 
quences to  be  the  refult  of  his  principle  :  That  far 
from  owning  the  confcquence,  hedeteftsit  as  much 
as  you  do  ;  and  declares,  that  he  would  renounce 
the  principle,  if  he  were  convinced,  that  it  did  real- 
ly give  ground  for  any  fuch  confequence.  When 
will  chriflians  learn  to  treat  one  another  with  more 
candor ! 

IV.  BE  on  your  guard  again  ft  whifperers  and  tale 
bearers,  The  devil  is  termed  the  accufer  of  the 
brethren^*  he  might  aHo  be  called  the  accufer  of 
God,  for  he  aceufes  God  to  men,  as  well  as  men  to 
God  ;  and  he  accufes  men  to  men.  And  as  fatan 
loves  to  fow  difcord,  fo,  are  there  not  fome  of  man- 
kind that  do  in  this  particular  too  nearly  refemble 
him.  Solomon  obferves,  that  a  "  froward  man  fow- 
eth  ilrife,  and  a  whifperer  feparateth  chief  friends. -)-" 
Some  are  like  the  troubled  fea,  that  cannot  reft; 
thofe  talents,  m  a  right  improvement  of  which, 
they  might  do  much  good,  they  employ  in  doing 
mifchief.  Inilead  of  ading  the  part,  and  defcrving 

xii,  to.        f  Prov.  xvi.  28. 

the 


the  character  of  peace-makers,  they  ndt  the  part  of 
incendiaries :  They  employ  themfelves  in  the  odious 
office  of  tale-bearers.  Such  pevfons,  far  from  be- 
ing encouraged,(hould  be  regarded  as  the  pcflsof  fc- 
ciety,  and  treated  wkh  the  negledl  and  contempt 
they  deferve  :  And  if  they  were  thus  hated,  they 
would  foon  loofe  their  influence,  and  grow  weary  of 
their  hateful  employment ;  and  thus  the  remark  of 
the  wile  man  would  be  verifyed,  "  The  north  wind 
drivcthaway  rain,  fo  doth  an  angry  countenance  a 
back-biting  tongue ."J  'Tis  the  encouragement  that 
js  given  to  luch,  efpccially  by  perfons  in  public  fla- 
tions,  wiiich  tends  greatly  to  encreafe  the  number 
of  theie  pernicious  vermin, as  well  as  to  whet  their  di- 
abolical zeal  5  and  fo,  another  remark  of  Solomon^ 
is  fadly  verified,  that  "  when  a  ruler  hearkens  to  lies, 
all  his  fervants  are  wicked.  ";£ 

V.  B£  not  forward  to  enter  into  difputcs3  upon 
controverted  points.  I  grant,  that  debating  g  point 
fairly,  has  often  a  good  tendency  to  the  inveitiga- 
tion  of  truth,  but  as  difputes  are  managed,  there 
is  feldom  much  good  comes  of  them,  and  often  a 
great  deal  of  mifchief.  How  often  are  they  iecn  to 
end  in  vain  jangling  and  bitter  altercation !  How 
frequently  do  the  parties  in  a  controversy  leave  the 
point  in  debate,  and  fall  to  pelting  one  another  with, 
virulent  perional -reflections !  If  at  any  time  we  de- 
bate a  point,  let  it  be  with  that  moderation,  that 
coolnefs  and  candor,  which  may  make  it  appear 
that  it  is  truth,  not  vidlory  we  have  in  view.  Never 
caft  dirt,  never  do  any  thing  that  might  but  fcein 
to  favour  of  hatred  or  contempt  of  theperfon  of  an 

*  Prov,  zxv.,  23.  f  Prov.  xxix.  13. 

C  2 


antagonift.  Never  think  it  a  fliame,  but  account 
it  your  honor  to  give  up  a  point,  when  you  are  con- 
vinced it  cannot  be  defended :  And  be  candid  e- 
r»ough  to  own  your  error,  as  foon  as  you  are  con- 
vinced you  are  in  an  error.  If  you  find  that  difputes 
cannot  be  managed  without  envy,  ftrifc,  evil  fur- 
mifings,  and  the  like,  then  avoid  them  altogether : 
Remember,  that  M  the  wrath  of  man  workerh  not 
the  righteoufnefs  of  God." 

VI.  BEWARE  of  a  falfe  and  irregular  zeal.  True, 
zeal,  under  a  proper  regimen,  is  indeed  a  very  love- 
ly grace.  "  Be  zealous,"  was  one  part  of  the  advice  of 
the  fpirit,  to  the  wretched  church  of  Laodicea. 
There  can  be  no  true  religion  without  this  grace. 
Fervency  in  fpirit,  is  a  neceflary  qualification  in 
the  fervice  of  God.  We  have  zeal  recommended, 
by  the  example  of  our  Lord;  his  amiable  moderation, 
and  lamblike  meeknefs,  had  no  tendency  to  take  off 
the  edge  of  zeal.  Hence,  he  fays,  "  the  zeal  of  thy 
houfc  hath  eaten  me  up.'1  For  the  want  of  this 
grace  Chrift  threatens  to  fpue  Laodicea  out  of  his 
mouth.  "  It  is  good  to  be  zealoufly  affedted,  always, 
in  a  good  thing."  But  how  excellent  foever  zeal  is, 
it  is  a  grace  which  requires  a  heavy  ballaft  :  Dread- 
ful have  been  the  effedts  which  falfe  zeal  has  pro- 
duced. HOW  often  have  perfons,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  it,  fpoken  wickedly  for  God,  and  talked  de- 
ceitfully for  hirn.  It  made  a  confcientious  perfecutor 
of  Sapl  the  pharifce  $*  nor  was  he  the  only  inftancc 
of  the  kind  ;  "  They  (hall  put  you  out  of  the  fyna- 
gogue  (faith  Chrift )  yea  the  time  cometh,  that 
Svhoioever  killeth  you,  lliall  think  that  he  doeth 

f  A&s  xxvi,  9. 


God  fervice."*  The  falfe  teachers  in  the  church 
of  Galatia,who  ftirred  up  the  chriftians  againft  Paul, 
their  fpiritual  father,  zealoufly  affecled  them,  but 
not  well,  •}"  If  zeal  is  not  found  in  conjunction  with 
truth;  if  it  is  not  guided  by  wifdom,and  qualified  by 
the  chriftian  temper  ;  the  more  zeal  a  perfon  has, 
the  worfe  ;  the  more  mifchief  is  he  like  to  do. 

VII.  BE  on  your  guard  againft  a  feparating  fpirit  : 
This  is  an  antichriftian  fpirit.  Separates  often  talk 
much  of  the  fpirit,  and  make  high  pretences  to  it  ; 
but  let  them  pretend  what  they  will,  it  will  be 
found  on  enquiry,  that  want  of  the  fpirit  of  Chrift 
is  at  the  bottom  of  their  conduct.  See  Judc,  19  ver. 
"  Thefe  be  they  who  ieparate  them  (elves,  fenfual, 
having  not  the  fpirit.  •'  The  Jewifli  church  in  the 
days  of  our  Lord  was  become  very  corrupt  ;  and 
yet,  he  countenanced  her  fo'  far,  as  to  attend  her 
ordinances,  common  and  fpecul  :  And  it  is  hard 
to  name  any  thing,  which  the  heart  ofChrift  ap- 
pears to  be  more  fet  upon,  than  that  his  difciples 
might  be  united  among  themfdves.  It  has  been  ob- 
ferved  of  fome  eminently  godly  men,  minifters  and 
others,  that  in  proportion  as  they  grew  in  year?, 
in  knowledge,  in  experience  and  fandification,  fo 
they  have  been  more  and  more  tender  of  the  churches 
peace,  and  fearful  of  divifion.  I  would  by  no  means* 
have  any  thing  that  I  have  faid,  be  fo  underfiood,  as 
if  I  condemned  all  feparations:  fome  are  no  doubt 
lawful,  and  matter  of  duty.  Such  was  the  fe  pa  ra- 
tion of  our  fathers  from  myfiical  Babylon,  th& 
mother  of  harlots,  and  abomination  of  the  earth. 
If  a  profeffing  church  is  gone  off  from  the  gofp^l  of 


Jphnxvi,  2.         +  Gal.  iv. 


*  -] 

/ 

•  Chrift,  to  another  gofpel  <  if  the  gofpel  way  of  fin- 
ner's  juftification  is  not  taught ;  if  rnens  fuppofed 
fincere  obedience,  is  pur.  in  the  room  of  Chriit's 
righteoalnefs  ;  if  tht  neceffhy  of  faith  and  regenera- 
tion, are  not  infifted  upon,  or  if  the  true  natuie  of 
them  is  explained  away  ;  if  the  fpecial  influences  of 
the  divine  fpirit  are  derided  and  denied  ;  if  the  ee- 
neral  (train  of  teaching  in  a  church  is  evidently  le- 
gvJ,  fuch  as  in  the  nature  of  it  tends  to  fettle  finners 
on  the  covenant  of  works,  inftead  of  difpofing  them 
to  renounce  all  confidence  in  the  flefli  ;  in  a  word, 
if  a  church  corrupt  the  word  of  God,  and  reject  or 
neglect  the  means  of  purging  herfelf,  with  Babylon 
refufing  to  be  healed,  in  this  cafe,  the  Lord  items 
to  call  for  a  ieparation.  See  the  command,  2  Cor. 
vi.  17.  "  Wherefore,  come  out  from  among  them, 
and  be  ye  leparate,  faith  the  Lord,  and  touch  not 
the  unclean  thing,  and  I  will  receive  you."  Or  if  a 
church,  which  is  doftrinally  found  in  the  main 
things,  impofe  on  her  members  unfcriptural  terms 
of  communion,  fo  that  they  cannot  be  of  her  com- 
munion without  wounding  and  defiling  the  con- 
fcience,  by  doing  that  which  is  finful,  in  this  cafe 
feparation  feems  inevitable.  We  are  never  to  do  e- 
vil,  that  good  may  come.  "  Whatfoever  is  not  of 
faith,  is  fin.*'  This  was  the  cafe  of  thofe,  who 
diffented  from  the  epifcopal  church  in  South  Biitain 
and  Ireland.  But  for  the  members  of  a  church  to 
iepafate,  where  they  do  not  alledge,  that  any  un- 
fcriptural or  finful  terms  of  communion  are  impof- 
ed ;  where  they  cannot  deny  but  the  doctrine  is 
found,  and  the  true  way*  of  folvation  is  taught,  be- 
;caufe  they  think  the  minifter's  gifts  are  not  quite  io 
edifying,  that  he  is  not  fo  zealous,  fo  lively,  fo  fpi- 
ritual,  fo  evangelical  as  fomc  others,  or  that  he  has 

not 


t    '3    1 

not  fo   happy  a  talent  in  diltinguifhing,  or  riding 
marches  between  the  law  and  the  golpel :    Or  to 
feparate,  becaufe  it  is  alledged  that  there  are  fome 
corrupt  members  in  a  church  ;  that   {he  does   not 
cxercife  diicipline  with  that  impartiality  and  ftrid- 
nefs  that   might  be  wiflied  ;    thefe  are  reparations, 
to  which    heaven  will  not  give  its  fandlion.    How 
many,  who  feem  more  fe-arful  of  being  defiled  by 
corrupt  fellow  members,  than  by  the  corruptions  of 
their  own  hearts !  Thele  would  do  well  to  remem- 
ber, that  it  is  "  out  of  the  heart  that  divers  abomi- 
nations   proceed-/'*     that  "   thefe  are  the  things 
which  defile  a  man  •"     that  "  he  who  eateth  and 
drinketh  unworthily,  eateth  and  drinketh  damnation 
to  himfelf."-f-     Such    conduit   as  we  are  faulting 
has  rendered,  and  will  render  the  ancient  Donatifts 
infamous  in  the  future  ages  of  the  chriftian  church. 
I  do  not  find  that  they  are  charged  with  any  grofs 
doctrinal  error  j    fchifm  was  their  crime.       The 
church  was  too  corrupt  for  them  to  abide  in  her  fcl-  ' 
lowfhip  :    They  pretended  to  fet  up  pure  churches. 
By  their  uncharitable  breaches  of  communion,  they 
rent  to  pieces  the  feamlefs  coat  of  our  Lord.    Their 
hateful  practices  tended  to  deftroy  that  unity,  which 
renders  the  church  "  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the 
fun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners."     They 
were  adtive  in  expofing  their  mother's  nakednefs, 
which  filial  duty  bound  them  to  conceal.  They  re- 
peated the  crime  of  Noah's  impious  grandion,  on 
account  of  which,  the  patriarch  pronounced  thefe 
terrible  prophetic  words,  "  Curfed  be  Canaan,  a 
fervant  of  fervants  (hall  he  be  to  his  brethren, "£ 

VIII.  BEWARE 

*  Mat.  xv.  19.         |    i  Cor.  xi.  29. 

*  "  Donatifts,  I  find,  had  their  name  from  Dojiatus.  He  lived 
if  g.bout  the  time  of  the  emperor   Conftantine.     The  real  caufe 

"  of 


r  M 

VIII.  BEWARE  of  falfe- teachers.  The  chorda 
of  Ephefns  is  commended  for  "  trying  them,  who 
faid  they  were  apoftles,  and  finding  them  liars."* 
Theapoflle  John  cautions  the  Chriftians  not  to  be- 
lieve every  fpirit,  but  "  to  try  the  fpirits  whether 
they  be  of  G<jd."-j-  The  chriftian  people  have  the 
move  need  to  be  on  their  guard  againft  fuch,  be- 
caufe  no  age  cf  the  church  is  exempt  from  them* 
Sometimes  they  abound  greatly,  and  perhaps  never 
iaore,  than  in  a  day  of  God's  power.  If  Satan  can- 
no:  prevent  God's  work,  he  will  endeavour  to  mi- 
niick,  and  by  this  means,  to  bring  a  flur  upon  it. 
When  Mofes  did,  by  the  power  of  God  work  true^ 
the  magicians,  by  the  affiftance  of  Satan,-  wrought 
counterfeit  miracles.  So,  in  the  apoftles  days,  there 
were  falfe  apoftles.  So  at  the  reformation,  how 
were  the  bowels  of  the  infant  church,  in  a  manner 

of  his  going  oiT  from  the  church,  is  faid,  to  be  a  difcontcnt, 
that  he  mill  of  the  bifhoprick  of  Carthage.  He  would  allovr 
no  church  to  be  a  true  church,  but  what  was  pure  from  all  fin. 
He  rebaptifed  thpfe  who  had  been  baptifed  by  them  whom  he 
called  hereticks." 

And  here  I  would  leave' it  to  be  confidered,  how  far  the  cha- 
racter of  this  antient  fcifmatic,  agrees  with  theirs,  who  deny  the 
vifibie  church  memberlhip  of  all  infants;  who  teach,  that  the  bap: 
tifm  of  fuch,  ahho'  the  only  baptifm  that  the  chriftian  churcli 
knev/  for  many  centuries,  is'  no  baptifmy  has  no  foundation  in  th£ 
word  of  God -/who  will  admit  none  to  fpecial  communion  with 
them,  but  fuch  as  have  been  baptifed  at  an  age  of  obfcrvation; 
thereby  prafttcally  declaring,  that  they  look  on  tht  whole  chrif- 
tian church,  (their  own  feel  excepted)  to  be,  "  aliens  from  the 
Common  wealth  of  Ifraei,"  Who  fhew  a  forwardnefs ,  to  pick 
members  out  of  the  p'urefl:  pedobaptift  churcnes.  Receiving  witn 
rfpon  arms,  all  v/ho  are  difpofed  to  renounce  their  infant  baptifm, 
and  make  a  profeffion  of  faith,  though  it  be  too  apparent,  that  they 
neither  have  hadfufficient  time,  nor  means  to  examine  the  contro- 
verfy.  Whofe  coi^dua  gives  fubftantial  proof,  that  they  are  dif- 
pc>fed  fb  bi^ild  their  feel:  on  the  ruins  of  every  other  denominat!<v\ 
*f  profefied  chriflians. 

*v  I?.ev.  ii-  7.  f  n  John  nr,  i, 


torn  to  pieces,  by  the  divifive  practices  of  anabnp- 
tills,  and  other  emhufiafts. 

PEOPLE  (hould  bexvare  of  the.  depths  of  Satan  I 
they  have  more  need,  considering  that  fdlfe  teachers 
do  often  a£t  with  much  cunnin<r,fo  that  the  hurt  they 
do  ib  qot  prefently  difcerned.  Hence  they  arecom- 
purcd  to  foxes,  to  "  little  faxes,  thot  fpoil  the  ten- 
der vine/'*  They  often  make  a  fair  (hew,  hence 
they  are  faid  tq  come  "  in  fheeps  cloathing."-}* 
And  are.  called  "  deceitful  workers,  transforming 
themfelves  into  the  upofllcs  of  Chrift/'  Some  of 
them  are  faid  to  (hew  great  figns  and  wonders,  to 
deceive,  were  it  poffible,  the  yery  eledt.  Such 
teachers  may  have  rich  natural  endowments,  and 
great  acquirements ;  they  may  preach  many  preci- 
ous truths  ;  they  may  be  foft  and  iufinuuting  in  their 
addrcfs;  may  profefs  great  intimacy  with  heaven; 
they  may  not  only  ufe  fuch  good  words  and  fair 
fpeeches,  as  have  a  tendency  to  deceive,  but  may 
make  high  pretences  to  zealaand  may  zealoufly  affeit 
their  cafy  credulous  followers  ;  and  they  do  this  the 
more  eaiily,  becaufe  as  their  principal  dtfign  (what- 
ever they  may  pretend  to  the  contrary)  is  to  pleafe, 
rather  than  to  edify  ;  fo  they  are  ap^-td  fall  in  with 
men's  favourite  paflions,  by  infilling  chiefly  on  fucli 
topics  as  they  know  will  pleafe.  In  fine,  to  difc 
cern  between  true  and  falfe  teachers  is  not  fo  eafy  a 
thing  as  fome  may  imagine,  especially  at  a  time 
when  a  fedarian  fpirit  prevails ;  when  unclean  fpi- 
rits  afcend  as  it  were  in  fwarms,  out  of  the  bottom- 
lefs  pit ;  when  many  falfe  prophets  are  gone  out  in- 
to the  world  $  when  there  are  a  great  variety  of  op- 

i 

*  -Can.  ii.  15 f  f  Mat.  vii.  15.'  J  2  Cor.  *i.  iq.    . 

£>  polite' 


.     t  26 

pofitc  pretences,  one  crying,  "  lo  here  is  Chrift/'anc! 
another,  lo  he  is  there,  arid  each  very  fanguine  that 
he  is  in  the  right,  and  that  he  is  only  fo.  But  is 
deception  then  unavoidable  ?  Is  there  no  criterion, 
no  certain' mark,  by  which  God's  people  may  avoid 
being  deceived  ;  by  which,  the  (heep  of  Chrift  may 
be  ..ble  to  difcern  his  voice,  from  the  voice  of  Gran- 
gers ?  Yes,  blefled  be  God  there  is,  elfe  our  Lord 
could  not  have  faid,  "  by  their  fruits  ye  (hall  know 
them/'*  If  a  teacher  does  not  dired  fouls  to  Chrift, 
but  to  Mofes  for  falvation  ;  or,  if  under  the  notion 
of  cxaltirig  Chi  ift  and  grace,  he  teach  what  tends 
to  licentioufneis  :  if  he  is  not  open  and  frank  ;  is 
not  willing  to  declare  his  principles  on  all  points : 
if  he  depreciate  human  learning  and  a  regular  in- 
dudion  into  the  gofpel  miniftry :  if  the  fpirit  he 
promotes  among  his  followers,  inftead  of  a  meek, 
humble,  catholic,  be  a  violent,  furious,  felf  fiaffi- 
cient  fpirit  :  if  he  acTrs  deceitfully,  pretending  one 
thing,  when  it  is  evident  he  intended  another,  dif- 
claiming  and  pretending  to  abhor  a  party  fpirit,  when 
it  appears  more  and  more  plain,  that  the  promoting 
of  a  party  fpirit,  was,  and  is  the  chief  thing,  he 
had,  and  has  in  view  :  if  they  are  aftive  in  endea- 
vouring by  every  means,  to  pick  members  out  of 
thofe  churches,  which  themielves  cannot  deny  to 
be  true  churches  of  Chrill  :  if  their  whole  conduft, 
as  far  as  it  fucceeds,  evidently  tends  to  build  their 
own  feel,  on  the  ruins  of  every  other  denomination 
of  profeffed  Chriftians :  if  under  the  higheft  pre- 
tences to  diftintereftednels,  they  are  evidently  gree- 
dy of  filthy  lucre  ;  or,  if  they  are  ftran<:ers,  and  not 
properly  recommended ;  in  any  or  all  of  thcfe  cafes, 

*  Mat.  vil. 

people 


[    '7    1 

people  would  do  well  to  fear  the  \vorft,  and  to  act 
with  caution.  That  is  a  very  folemn  and  tender  ad- 
drefs  of  theapoftle,  Rom.  xvi.  17,18.  "  Now,  I  be- 
feech  you  brethren,mark  them  which  caufe  divifions 
and  offences,  contrary  to  the  do  flrine  ye  have  learn- 
ed, and  avoid  them,  for  they  that  are  fucb,  ferve 
not  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  but  their  own  belly,  and 
with  good  words  and  fair  fpeeches,  deceive  the 
hearts  of  the  firnple." 

HAVING  gone  through  the  doflrinal  part,  I  pro- 
ceed to  fome  practical  improvement,  which,  1  have 
in  a  great  meafure  anticipated  by  what  has  been 
faid,  particularly  on  the  laft  general  head.  I  (hull 
therefore  confine  what  I  add,  to  a  ule  of  hinenta- 
tion,  and  a  few  words  of  exhortation. 

Tirft.  I  lay,  we  may  infer  from  the  fubjecl,  that 
the  diviiions  among  chriftians  are  much,  to  be  la- 
mented. How  many  parties  at  this  day,  each  very 
ianguine  that  the.y  are  in  the  right  ;  one  crying,  lo 
here  is  Chrift,  and  another^  lo  he  is  there  !  Pro- 
feflbrs  not  only  divided,  but  fub-divided,  crumbled 
almoft  into  atoms  of  parties,  "  Ephraiii>  aeainic  Ma- 
nuffah,  and  Manaflah  againft  Ephraim,  and  they  to- 
gether againft  Judah."  In  how  many  places,  where 
hopeful  religious  appearances  have  been  o'f  late,  have 
tares  fprung  up,  almoft  to  the  choaking  of  the  good 
feed:  Surely  an  enemy  hath  done  this?  and  yet, 

ken  for  friends. 
as  thole  who 
run  into  the  difficult  office  of  the  miniftry,  withou; 
being  lent  ;  who  would  be  teachers  of  the  law 
#nd  the  gofpel  too,  not  knowing  '  what  they  lay, 
nor  whereof  they  affirm.  Are  not  perfons  of  -this 

D  2,  ftarn,^ 


are  not  (cch  enemies,  by  many  miftak 
None  fo  high  in  the  efteem  of  fonis, 


[       28      ] 

L.  ..        JJ 

itarnp  Bugged  and  carefled,  while  the  faithful  mi- 
miiers  of  Chrift  are  defpifcd.  None  like  thoie  who 
go  about  as  incendiaries,  endeavouring  to  fill  the 
minds  of  people  with  prejudices  againft  human 
learning  and  a  regular  miniftry  :  who  deal  with 
mankind,  rather  as  affectionate  than  rational  crea- 
tures, ufing  their  utmoft  ikill  to  get  the  paflions  of 
people  on  their  fide,  that  by  the  means  of  them, 
they  may  bribe^the  judgment,  and  fo  win  profelkes 
to  their  party.  Are  there  not  in  our  days,  perform 
of  the  fame  complexion,  with  thoCe  mentioned  by 
the  apoflie,  who  "  creep  into  houfes,  rind  lead  cap- 
tive filly  women/'  and  men  alfo  ?  And  in  fome 
placrc,  uo  not  people  feem  to  b~  ieizcd  with  a  fpi- 
litual  giddinefs  ;  like  a  (hip  without  bdlaft,  are  toft 
with  every  wind  ;  appear  poflcfled  with  an  inccffan.t 
desire  of  novelty  ;  with  the  Athenians,  feeking  to 
<e  hear  fome  new  thing, heaping  to  themielves  teach- 
ers, 'having  itching  ears,  ever  learning,  and  never 
able  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth!"  Does 
it  not  look  awful  to  fee  many,  and  forne  of  whom 
letter  mu ht  have  been  expected,  renouncing  their 
infant  baptifm  ?  Others,  pretending  to  be  the  only 
chriftians,  according  to  the  primitive  model,  repre- 
ienting  all  other  denominations,  as  corrupters  of  the 
-word  of  God,and  their  teachers,as  blind  leaders  of  the 
blind  ;  while  the  carnally  fecure,  and  men  of  infidel 
principles,  or  of  a  dciilical  turn,  make  a  feoff  at  all 
thefc  things,  and  ridicule  chriftianity  itielf,  on  ac- 
count of  the  folly  of  its  profeflbrs.  Surely  firs,  thefe 
divisions  of  rulers,  are  fufficient  ground  for  great 
thoughts  of  heart.  I  know  but  of  one  confideration, 
\vhicli  upon  fuch  a  propofition,  i^  fufficient  to  qui- 
et the  mind  of  him,  who  prefers  the  welfare  of  Zi- 
to  his  chief  joy  :  It  is  ihi?a  That  all  things  are 

in 


in  the  hands  of  Zion's  king  :  that  he  hath  power 
and  {kill  lufficient  to  bring  a  revenue  of  glory  to  God, 
even  from  human  wcakncfs  and  folly.  O  that  the 
eccleiiaftical  anarchy  of  this  day  might  dilpofe  mi- 
nifters  and  other  chriftiaos,  to  enter  into  a  ferious, 
enquiry,  whether  a  common  fence  about  the  church- 
es, miubt  not  be  likely  to  prevent  many  of  thefe 
bad  things,  and  to  keep  out  the  boar  of  the  forreft, 
from  entering  in  to  waile  the  vineyard  at  his  pleafure. 

I  PROCEED  to  a  word  ©f  exhortation  :    Firjl,  te 
the  unconverted.  Altho'  I  would  have  you  to  take  a 
part  of  the  advice  of  the  apoftle  in  my  text,  /.  e .  to 
live  in  peace  with  men,  yet  that  which  chiefly  con- 
cerns you,  is  to  get  into  a  ftate  of  reconciliation  or. 
peace  with   God.     Confider,    that   till  once   you 
are   in    this   ftate,    you  cannot  love   your  neigh- 
bour, nor  do  any  duty  you  owe  to  him  from  a  right 
principle.     Some  of  you,  are  already,  it  may  be,  in 
pofleffion  of  a  fort  of  peace  :     "  The  ftrong  man 
armed,  keepeth  his  palace,  and  his  goods  are  in 
peace/'  But  does  not  your  own  confcience  tell  you, 
that  your  peace  is  not  well  founded  ?  that  it  will 
not  endure  the  teft  of  God's  word  ?  that  you  have 
never  been  thoroughly  awakened,  convinced  and 
humbled  ?  that  the  fpirit  of  felf  dependance  has  ne- 
ver been  effectually  fubdued  ?  that  you  have  never 
gone  out  of  yourfelves  to  Chrift  ;  that  you  are  not 
pew  creature?,  io  that  if  you  die  in  your  prefent 
ftate,  yon  mu(l  needs  perifn?  To  fuch  I  would  fay; 
why  wiir you,  or  rather  how  can  you  remain  earie 
in  your  prefent  ftate  ?  -Can  you  think  with  any  pa- 
tience, of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God  ; 
of  being  led  forth  with  the  workers  of  iniquity,  arid 
having  your  portion  with  the  unclean  ?  N ny,  can 

you 


3°    ] 

you  bear  the  thought  cf  having  the  hotteft  place  in 
hell ;  of  finking,  far  deeper  than  the  abominable  So- 
domites, in  the  lake  that  burrs  with  fire  and  brim- 
ftone  ?  If  you  cannot,  then  "  acquaint  yourfelves 
with  God  and  be  at  peace,"  take  hold  of  his  ftren2;th 
and  make  peace,  and  he  fays,  "  you  (ball  make 
peace  -,"  and  what  you  do,  do  quickly  ;  to  delay  till 
to-morrow,  may  be  for  ever  too  late.  The  ax  is 
laid  to  the  root  of  the  tree,  and  the  judge  ilands  at 
the  door.  "  Your  judgment  for, a  long  time  linger- 
eth  not,  and  your  damnation  doth  not  flumber." 
It  has  been  of  late,  and  I  truft  yet  is  in  many  places, 
a  day  of  God's  power :  fuch  feafons  do  not  happen 
often  :  if  you  outftand  this,  you  may  never  fee  ano- 
ther :  They  are  ftartling  words,  Jer.  viii.  20.  "  The 
harveft  is  paft,  the  lummer  is  ended,-  and  we  are 
pot  faved." 

MAY  I,  without  offence,  be  permited  to  drop  a 
word  to  miniilers  ?  I  would  juft  fay,  let  us,  my 
dear  bretheren,  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerufalem, 
and  do  what  we  can  to  promote  it.  If  we  would 
put  an  effectual  flop  to  men  cf  ieparating  principles, 
and  pracftifes,  let  us  out  do  them  in  abundant  la- 
bours, in  evangelical  preaching,  in  zeal  for  (-od,  and 
hearty  concern  for  fouls.  To  ufe  biiliop  Burnets 
words,  in  his  paflp'ral  letter  to  his  clergy,  "  let 
us  out  preach  them,  out  pray  them,  and  out  live 
them/'  I  would  add,  let  us  fee  that  we  hurt  not 
the  churches  peace,  nor  lay  a  ft  ambling  block  in  the 
way  of  our  people,  by  carrying  catholicifm  too  far, 
For  Snftance,  if  they  fee  us  giving  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship  to  men  of  corrupt  principles,  will  not 
this  be  a  caufe  of  ftumbiing  to  them?  How  natu- 
ral will  it  be  for  them  to  &ya  thefe  our  teachers  in- 

culcatq 


C   3< 

cutcate  on  us,the  abfolute  fovereignty  and  freedom  of 
divine  grace,  the  doctrine  of  original  fin,  of  jaftiS- 
cation  by  faith  only,  of  the  new  birth,  ol  the  necef- 
fhy  of  divine  fupernatural  influence,  &c.  but  we  fee 
that  they  maintain  all  acts  of  communion  with 
thofe,  that  do  not  believe  thefe  dodtrines.  What 
can  we  inferr  from  this  their  conduct,  but  either, 
they  do'not  believe  thefe  doctrines,  or,  at  ieaft,  do 
not  believe  them  to  be  fo  important  as  they  teach 
us  they  are.  Perhaps,  lome  of  us  are  not  fufficient- 
ly  aware, how  ftumbling  this  is  to  fome  of  our  hear- 
ers, and  what  a  handle  is  made  of  it  by  feparatcs. 

To  the  aflembly  in  general,  I  would  fay,  you 
have  been  hearing  in  the  doctrinal  part  the  nature  of 
that  peace  which  is  acceptable  to  God  ;  What  an 
excellent  and  important  bleffing  it  is :  Some  direc- 
tions have  likewife  been  given  by  a  due  attendance 
on  which,  you  may  be  likely  to  attain  this  invalu- 
able bleffing.  Thefe  things,  however  weakly  fpok- 
en  upon,  have  been  laid  before  you,  I  truft,  \vir*i 
a  fingle  eye,  by  one  who  is  under  infinite  obligati- 
ons to  redeeming  love,  and  who  has  a  fincere  concern 
for  the  peace  and  welfare  of  Jerufalern.  I  hope 
then,  you  will  take  the  word  of  inftruction  and  ex- 
hortation in  good  part ;  and  that  you  will  follow  with 
your  earned  prayers,  him  who  takes  his  affectionate 
leave  of  you,  in  the  words  of  my  text ;  "  finally 
brethren  farewell ;  be  perfect,  be  of  good  comfort, 
be  of  one  mind,  live  in  pe^ce,  and  the  God  of  love 
and  peace  ihall  be  with  you. 


FINIS, 


'7^5 


